Large New Jewish Community Center Opens in Moscow

The largest Jewish religious and cultural center to be built over the past 15 years opened in Moscow on Sunday amid fanfare and a celebration that drew religious and political leaders from across the region.

From VIN News by Glen Silver:

The “Zhukovka” features a 250-person synagogue, a 400-seat banquet hall and 10-room hotel, as well as a children’s center and lecture halls capable of holding up to 150 people.

Among the dignitaries attending the grand opening of “Zhukovka”—-which was built on the the site of an existing synagogue at a cost of $15M funded primarily through private sources—-were Moscow’s governor Andrei Vorobyov, President of the Federation of Jewish Communities (FJC) of Russia Alexander Boroda, and Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar.

In addressing the audience, Vorobyov stressed the importance of “Zhukovka” not only for the Jewish community, but for the entire region.

“We are opening a religious center. It is a magnificent building. I have no doubt that these magnificent walls will be filled with the same people, intentions and actions that are needed in our country. I want to congratulate everyone with this event. I want that all the religions of the world will be united in the name of the good and quiet sky,” Vorobyov said.

FJC President Boroda expanded on those words, saying, “It’s not just a synagogue, it’s a multi-functional center. It provides a synagogue, and classrooms, children’s center, a library, a room for those remaining for the holidays, a banquet hall and a restaurant. We expect visitors not only from the village of Zhukovka, but from Moscow and within the area of the Odintsovo district.”

Photos by Shneur Schiff and Igor Solvaiov